GTU President calls on Government to place more emphasis on sports in schools

By Treiston Joseph

The National School Championships was officially declared open by the Minister with responsibility of Sport within the Ministry of Education Nicolette Henry when the event kicked off on Tuesday at the National Stadium, Providence.

A colourful march past started the day’s proceedings, followed by defending champions of the championships, Upper Demerara/Kwakwani (District 10) lighting the game’s torch.

President of the Guyana Teacher’s Union (GTU), Mark Lyte was keen in noting that further changes will be made to event.

“It is hope that we have a separate teacher’s championship as well as a junior and senior championship… we need to place more emphasis on sports in schools and the time has come for sports to be included in our curriculum. We have too many talented athletes to allow them to fall by the wayside and we need resources to help move sport forward,” Lyte shared.

Meanwhile, Minister Nicolette Henry while declaring the sport open, highlighted that sport and its development is a “top priority” for the current government.

“Sport is one of the only forums that can bring people together…the inclusion of sport in schools is important and it is a well known fact that there is a relation between a sound mind and a healthy body.

“If we are to develop sport, we need to start training our students from the nursery level… sport must be introduced at the earliest level if we are to truly develop sport,” Henry opined during her speech.

Meanwhile Upper Demerara/Kwakwani closed the proceedings on the opening ceremony with the ceremonial lighting of the game’s torch.